Safety signal for loaded guns



Nov. 23, 1937. M. SKANDERA 2,100,273

SAFETY SIGNAL FOR LOADED GUNS Filed Oct. 12, 1936 -25 War/z 8/?armera INVEN OR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNETED STATES PATENT QFFEQE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to safety signals for loaded guns and has for an object to provide a signal device for indicating that a gun is loaded, the device being so constructed that there will be no pockets or small recesses in the barrel for an exploding shell to crimp into as is the case with conventional devices of this character.

A further object is to provide a safety signal for loaded guns which cannot at any time indicate that a loaded gun is unloaded.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will not interfere with the ejection of a shell or cartridge and will permit the easy insertion of the shell or cartridge into the breech so that jamming of the cartridge in the breech will be positively prevented.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will be formed of a few strong simple and durable parts, which will be inexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the breech portion of a gun barrel showing the signal device constructed in accordance with the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the barrel showing the position of the signal when the gun is loaded.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the barrel showing the position of the signal when the gun is unloaded.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the barrel with the signal in the position shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, ii! designates a gun barrel and l l designates the breech thereof. In carrying out the invention I provide a slot l2 in the side of the breech extending from the outer face of the breech to the cartridge or shell chamber, and also opening through the rear face of the breech as best shown in Figure 3. The slot is provided with an inclined front wall l3 which slopes rearwardly at an angle of about 45 degrees to the axis of the barrel.

The signal device M is in the form of a substantially rectangular plate having the front edge l5 cut away to conform to the slope of the inclined front wall I3 of the slot. The plate is provided with a fin G6 which extends from the outer edge of the plate when the plate is confined Wholly within the slot by a cartridge I! when the gun is loaded, as best shown in Figure 2. The fin i6 is provided on the outer edge with a projection 58, best shown in Figure 4, which will engage the outer surface of the breech at the edge of the slot and limit movement of the signal plate into the barrel when the gun is unloaded, as shown in Figure 3.

The plate M is mounted at the inner rear corner upon a pivot pin I 9 passed through the plate and through suitable openings formed in the breech laterally of the cartridge chamber. The corner of the plate adjacent the pivot pin is cut away as shown at 2%! to conform to the contour of the cartridge rim slot 2! formed in the cartridge chamber.

An opening 22 is formed in the inclined front wall l3 of the slot 12 and a helical spring 23 is housed in the opening and bears with one end in a notch 24 formed in the cut away edge l5 of the signal plate. The opposite end of the spring bears against a screw 25 which is threaded into the opening.

In operation the signal plate I4 is held by the spring 23 rocked into the cartridge chamber of the breech as shown in Figure 3. When the cartridge ll is inserted it first rocks the plate against the pressure of the spring 23 so that the inner edge of the plate forms a continuation of the Wall of the breech and the notch 29 forms a continuation of the rim groove 2! of the cartridge chamber. In this position of the parts the fin i6 is exposed beyond the outer surface of the breech so as to be clearly visible to one desiring to know whether a gun is loaded or not and will indicate that a cartridge is in the cartridge chamber. It will be noted that when the signal plate is in the position shown in Figure 2, that is, when a cartridge is inserted, there are no crevasses or small openings in which the exploding cartridge may be crimped when the gun is fired so that jams are prevented while at the same time an expended cartridge may be readily ejected and a new cartridge inserted.

It will be particularly pointed out that the signal device cannot at any time indicate that a loaded gun is unloaded. In other words, even if the device becomes broken or the spring does not work, or in the event of other mechanical mishaps, nevertheless, because of the construction as above explained it is impossible for the signal to indicate that a loaded gun is unloaded.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be fully understood Without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

In a signal device to indicate that a gun is loaded, the combination of a barrel having a breech, there being a slot formed inv the wall of the breech and extending through the outer face of the breech and also extending to the cartridge chamber of the breech said slot also opening through the rear face of the breech, said slot having the front wall sloped rearwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle to the axis of the breech, a signal plate pivoted at one corner in said slot and having a front edge sloped at approximately a 45 angle to the axis of the breech and adapted to bear against said inclined wall of the slot when the plate is rocked outwardly upon its pivot by insertion of a cartridge into the breech, a fin on the plate exposed beyond the outer surface of the breech when the plate is moved outwardly by insertion of the cartridge, a spring extending from the sloped front wall of the slot and bearing against the sloped edge of the plate to normally hold the plate projecting into the path of movement of a cartridge being inserted into the breech, and a projection on said fin outside of the breech forming a stop adapted to engage the outer surface of the breech and limiting rocking pivotal movement of the plate under action of th spring.

MARTIN SKANDERA. 

